Method of recording on a recording medium employing an automatic termination of recording by monitoring the signal being recorded

ABSTRACT

A digital signal with included sub-code data reproduced from a first recording medium is recorded to a second recording medium having a data recording area and a table of contents (TOC) area establishing an end point of the digital signal outputted from the first recording medium by detecting if a reproducing time information of the sub-code data outputted from the first recording medium with the diginal signal ceases changing, detecting whether an audio data is included in the digital signal outputted from the first recording medium, and if not, pausing the recording operation for a predetermined time period, and after the predetermined time period passes, if it is detected that the reproducing time information ceases changing and the audio data is still not included in the digital signal outputted from the first recording medium, the recording operation of data in the second recording medium terminates, and a data indicative of a recording end point of the data which is recorded in the data recording area of the second recording medium is recorded in the TOC area of the second recording medium, the recording end point being a time point at which a predetermined time period passes after it is detected that the reproducing time information ceases changing and the reproduction of the first recording medium terminates, and then the whole recording operation to the second recording medium terminates.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/178,105 filed on Jan.6, 1994, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a recording method of recording medium andmore particularly, relates to a recording method for recording digitalsignals supplied with an additional information to a recording medium.

2. Descripton of the Related Art

There are magneto-optical discs as data rewritable recording mediums ofdisc type which can record digital data such as computer data. Whiledata is recorded in the magneto-optical disc, a recording film of themagneto-optical disc is heated on one side of the magneto-optical discto a temperature higher than the Curie point by a light beam emittedfrom an optical pickup, and at the same time, a vertical magnetic fieldis supplied to the heated area on the other side of the magneto-opticaldisc by a magnetic head. As a result, digital data is recorded bymagnetizing the recording film of the magneto-optical disc in accordancewith the polarity of the vertical magnetic field.

The magneto-optical disc is proposed in which analog signals such likesound signals or music information are first digitalized to be recorded.A magneto-optical disc recording/reproducing unit using themagneto-optical disc records the digitalized audio data on themagneto-optical disc in predetermined block units. The audio data isrecorded in block units so as to be recorded discretely on themagneto-optical disc.

In this magneto-optical disc recording/reproducing unit, audio data tobe recorded is sequentially inputted into an volume compressor, in whichthe audio data thus input is divided into blocks at a predeterminedcycle in order to process a volume compression on each block. Suchblocks of volume-compressed audio data are hereinafter referred to assound groups.

A sound group of audio data forms two sectors with eleven continuousblocks and further one cluster with thirty six sectors. Therefore, therecording/reproducing unit records or reproduces the compressed audiodata in cluster units based on the sectors.

As shown in a table of FIG. 1, in the magnetooptical disc unit, twentythree hundred and fifty two bytes of data are assigned to each sector,the area represented by longitudinal byte addresses "0" to "3" out ofwhich are allocated to the header of the each sector.

The twelve-byte area represented by longitudinal addresses "0" to "2" isallocated to a synchronization pattern (sync), whereto a formattedsynchronization pattern is assigned, and the address of a cluster isallocated to the first and second bytes of the longitudinal address "3".

The respective sectors are continuously formed on a magneto-optical discevery thirty six sectors which are grouped into clusters as addressesfor the management of which fourteen-bit addresses are assigned.

The sector address is also assigned following the address of eachclusters and the mode data of the magneto-optical disc follows thecluster address.

Furthermore, a main data area of twenty three hundred and thirty sixbytes are formed following this header address, to which a user'sdesired data is assigned.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the magneto-optical disc, data "02h" is recordedas mode data, "00h" of four bytes following a header is recordedsubsequently thereof, and audio data is recorded subsequently thereof.

To each sector thus formed is assigned a sound group as shown in FIG. 3.

That is, in an even numbered address sector, the main data areafollowing data "00h" at longitudinal address "4" corresponding to thetable shown in FIG. 1 is divided at intervals of longitudinal address"105" into sub-areas which are respectively assigned sequential soundgroups of data.

The area at longitudinal address "53" remaining as a result of the abovedivision of the main data area is assigned to the sixth sound group 5,and the area beginning at longitudinal address "5" of a subsequent oddaddress sector is recorded with the remaining data of the sixth soundgroup 5.

For this odd address sector in the magneto-optical disc, the remainingarea is further divided at intervals of longitudinal address "105" intosub-areas which are respectively assigned the remaining sound groups.

Therefore, in the recording/reproducing unit using a magneto-opticaldisc of this type, sound groups are formed by processing a volumecompression on sequentially input audio data. The sound groups thusformed into sectors are further formed into a cluster, as the unit ofwhich audio data can be recorded in the magneto-optical disc.

In the case where audio data is thus recorded on the magneto-opticaldisc in cluster units, track-jumped clusters can be re-recorded, forexample, even when a track-jump occurs because of vibration during arecording operation, by using a mass storage memory circuit as a bufferstorage. As a result, continuous audio data can be recorded on amagneto-optical disc without a drop out.

A recording area for recording management data of audio data is formedas a management area on the inner periphery of the magneto-optical disc,whereas a data recording area for recording data of this cluster isformed on the outer area of this management control area.

Therefore, the audio data is sequentially recorded in cluster units intothis data recording area.

In contrast, the management data recorded on the management area is usedto reproduce desired data out of audio data recorded in cluster on thedata recording area.

That is, this management data is defined as data in sector units similarto main data, so that the management data can be standardized withregard to the first to fourth sectors.

The third to fifth sectors "2" to "4" out of the second to fifth sectors"1" to "4" are used for options. As shown in FIG. 4, a cluster addressis assigned after a header and subsequently data "00h" is recorded inthe first sector, i.e., sector "0".

Moreover, after a predetermined code data (Maker code and Mode 1 code)is assigned in the first sector, other data (First TNO and Last TNO)indicating the recording start position and recording end position ofthe main data is assigned.

At longitudinal address "11" of this first sector, 2-byte discidentification data can be recorded. The first sector is subsequentlyassigned a pointer (P-DFA) indicating the position of a defective areain the data recording area and another pointer (P-EMPTY) indicating theinitial position of an unrecorded area in the data recording area.Furthermore, at subsequent longitudinal address "12", the first sectoris assigned a pointer (P-FRA) indicating the initial position of themain data recorded in the data recording area and subsequently pointers(P-TNO1, . . . , P-TNO255) indicating the recording start positions ofrespective data items.

Thus, a magneto-optical disc recording/reproducing unit for the recordand reproduction of audio signals is enabled to detect the initialpositions of recorded music with the aid of these pointers (P-FRA,PTNO1, . . . , P-TNO255).

In each area at longitudinal address "76" or less, a start address andan end address are recorded to indicate the recording start position andrecording end position, respectively, of the main data, and in pointers(P-FRA, P-TNO1, . . . , P-TN0255), the recording positions of thesestart addresses are pointed.

Thus, the magneto-optical disc recording/reproducing unit is enabled todetect a recording position regarding musical composition designated bythe user through locating the start address and end address pointed toby the pointers.

As shown in FIG. 5, at these start address and end address, the addressof a cluster is recorded in 14 bits, the address of a sector is recordedin 6 bits, and the address of a sound group is recorded in 4 bits,whereupon the magneto-optical disc recording/reproducing unit is enabledto perform such processes as locating a musical composition by using theunits "cluster," "sector," and "sound group," with regard to audio datarecorded in cluster units.

In addition, a small recording area on the data recording areadesignated by such a set of start and end addresses is referred as apart P.

Moreover, in this management data, mode data (Track mode) indicating theprocessing mode of each part is recorded after this start address. Copyinhibit data, write inhibit data, audio data, stereo data, monauraldata, etc. can be distinguished by this mode data, and furthermore itcan be recognized by the mode data that whether or not an emphasisprocess has been performed.

In contrast, in an end address, a link pointer (Link-P) is subsequentlyrecorded to indicate the connection of a part P. The link pointer(Link-P) can designate the recording position of a start addresscorresponding to this end address.

As shown in FIG. 6A, when an empty magneto-optical disc is recorded withaudio data for the first time, the audio data is recorded on the datarecording area of the magneto-optical disc in a manner such that therenditions of sequential musical compositions 1, 2, etc., follow eachother in succession.

In this case, the respective audio data are recorded on themagneto-optical disc in every part P1, P2, P3, etc., each of which isdefined by a set of beginning and ending addresses.

By contrast, when a musical performance of a long musical composition 5is recorded after the erasure of musical compositions 2 and 4, as shownin FIG. 6B, continuous audio data about this musical composition 5 isdivided so as to be recorded in the second part P2 and the fourth partP4.

In such a case, when the start address of the musical composition 5 isspecified with a pointer, the performance start position of the secondpart P2 is detected by the start address, and furthermore, the recordingend position of part P2 is detected by an end address forming a pairwith the start address.

Moreover, in the magneto-optical disc, a start address is detected whena link pointer (Link-P) following this end address is specifiedsimilarly to the pointers (P-FRA, P-TNO1, . . . , P-TNO255) of thefourth part P4. Thus, the magneto-optical disc can record audio data bythe effective use of the data recording area of the magneto-optical discby rewriting this management area data every time when a recording or anerasing operation is repeated.

The pointers (P-FRA, P-TNO1, . . . , P-TN0255) are formed incorrespondence to the respective audio data recorded on themagneto-optical disc, and the corresponding parts P are specifiedrespectively together with link pointers.

In contrast, when the musical composition 2 has been erased from theaudio data recorded continuously, the magneto-optical discrecording/reproducing unit designates the erased area with a pointer(P-EMPTY) pointing to the initial position of an unrecorded area in thedata recording area.

The pointer (P-EMPTY), similar to the other pointers (P-FRA, P-TNO1, . .. , P-TNO255), is designed so as to designate the start address of acorresponding part P, whereby the magneto-optical discrecording/reproducing unit replaces the designation of parts P2 and P4previously pointed to by pointers (PTNO1, P-TN02, . . . ) with thedesignation of a pointer (P-EMPTY) pointing to the initial position ofthe unrecorded area and the link pointer (Link-P) of an end addressforming a pair with the start address pointed to by this pointer. Thus,audio data can be erased from the magneto-optical disc easily.

Thus, in the magneto-optical disc unit, the audio data between clustersdesignated by the start address and end address is reproduced in clusterunits. Thereafter, the audio data, which is designated by a sound groupaddress corresponding to a start address and an end address, isreproduced by processing the data in sector units. Therefore, the audiodata recorded discretely on a magneto-optical disc can be reproducedeasily.

At this time, in the magneto-optical disc recording/reproducing unit,the audio data is recorded in cluster units as described above and theaudio data is reproduced in cluster units. This prevents the reproducingsounds from "skipping" due to reproducing track-jumped clusters, if any,by using a mass storage memory circuit as buffer storage.

In this connection, of the remaining management data sectors, in thesecond sector, sector 1, as shown in FIG. 7, a disc name and a trackname are assigned in ASCII code in correspondence to a start address andan end address after a header and pointers (P-TNA1, PTNA2, . . . ) arerecorded similarly to the first sector (i.e. sector 0).

By contrast, in the third sector of the management data, sector 2, asshown in FIG. 8, pointers (P-TRD1, P-TRD2, . . . ) are recorded incorrespondence to the pointers (P-TNO1, P-TNO2, . . . ) of the firstsector after a header, etc., are recorded similarly to the first sector.

Therefore, in the third sector, sector 2, recording time (Track rec dataand time), etc., can be record by pointers (P-TRD1, P-TRD2, . . . ),with regard to respective audio data corresponding to the pointers(P-TNO1, P-TNO2, . . . ) of the first sector.

Furthermore, in the fifth sector of the management data, sector 4, asshown in FIG. 9, pointers (P-TNA1, P-TNA2, . . . ) are formed similarlyand a disc name and a track name can be recorded in Japanese kanji code.

Thus, such a magneto-optical disc recording/reproducing unit isconnected to some audio equipment, such as an analog tape player, LPrecord player, or compact disc player, as a source of audio information.The analog audio signal output from these audio equipment is convertedinto a digital audio signal, and audio data is recorded. Otherwise, themagneto-optical disc recording/reproducing unit is connected to somedigital audio equipment, such as a compact disc player, digital audiotape recorder, or magneto-optical disc recording/reproducing unit. Thedigital audio signal output from these digital audio equipment isrecorded.

When audio signals supplied from various sources are recorded on themagneto-optical disc recording/reproducing unit described above, tracksare controlled by automatically giving track numbers (musicalcomposition number), which are also given in musical units in a compactdisc, for example, for the musical compositions recorded on themagneto-optical disc. To perform such track number control, it isnecessary to detect changing of musical compositions with respect to theanalog or digital audio signals supplied.

Especially in cases where digital data of input signals are suppliedfrom, for example, a compact disc player, their sub-code data is alsosent at the same time with digital data. Therefore, if the track numberinformation of sub-code data is fetched as it is, the track numbercontrol and updating numbers with respect to the musical compositionsrecorded in the magneto-optical disc can be easily performed.

However, there are proper cases where a user reproduces a desired trackby searching for musical compositions which are recorded in a disc of acompact disc player, for example, that is, a search operation (accessoperation) for performing program reproduction so as to play musicalcompositions in a desired order is carried out during the reproducingoperation. In this case, the excessive change of the sub-code dataoccurs due to the extraction of the sub-code data of another track inaccess or the detection of incorrect data. At this time, in themagneto-optical disc recording/reproducing unit, a problem occurs thatwrong track numbers are given to the recorded musical compositionsbecause track numbers are updated in accordance with the track numberinformation in the sub-code data on the recording apparatus side.

As described above, in compact disc players, for example, the programmedreproduction mode is set so that musical compositions recorded in acompact disc can be reproduced in a user's desired order.

Accordingly, a magneto-optical disc recording/reproducing unit isenabled to record audio data in the magneto-optical disc in a user'sdesired order, dispensing with the otherwise necessaryrecording/reproducing operations for each end of reproduction of musicalcompositions, by connecting to a piece of audio equipment set in itsprogrammed reproduction mode and being put in its recording mode. Thatis, if once a piece of audio equipment and a magneto-optical discrecording/reproducing unit are connected and the reproducing orrecording operation is set, it is possible to omit the otherwisenecessary operations to be carried out until the end of recording. Thisrecording method is hereinafter referred as automatic recording.

However, there may be some compact discs which have been recorded withonly enough music data for a musical performance time of some thirtyminutes.

Accordingly, if a magneto-optical disc capable of recording for, forexample, sixty minutes is loaded onto a magneto-optical discrecording/reproducing unit, and audio data to be reproduced from thiscompact disc is automatically recorded, a mute will record for no lessthan thirty minutes in the magneto-optical disc after the musicalperformance on the part of the compact disc player terminates.

To prevent from recording this mute to the magneto-optical disc, theuser needs to perform a stop operation on the magneto-optical disc unitwhen the reproduction of a compact disc terminates. As a result, even inthis automatic recording mode a user's manipulation is actuallyrequired, so that there are some problems to be solved for practicaluse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, an object of this invention is to provide arecording method for a recording medium.

The foregoing object and other objects of the invention have beenachieved by the provision of a recording method for a recording mediumas described below.

According to a first embodiment of this invention, a recording methodfor recording the inputted digital signals to a recording medium isproposed, in which management data corresponding to the recorded digitalsignal is recorded in a recording medium, and such a recording method isperformed as follows: The inputted digital signals are recorded on arecording medium, and at the same time, it is detected that whether aninformation change point of digital signals are detected or not based onan additional information of the inputted digital signals. Then, afterthe information change point is detected, an updating operation isperformed for updating management data corresponding to the digitalsignals recorded in the recording medium.

According to another embodiment of this invention, a recording methodfor recording the inputted digital signals to the recording medium isproposed, in which the inputted digital signals are outputted from asignal source recorded with sub-code data, and an area where themanagement data is recorded is formed in the recording medium. Such arecording method is performed as follows: The end point of the inputteddigital signals is detected on the basis of whether the reproductionpassage time information of sub-code data supplied with the inputteddigital signals changes or not. After the reproduction passage timeinformation no longer changes, and the end point of the inputted digitalsignals is detected, it is detected whether the audio data is includedin the inputted digital signals. When it is detected that the audio datais not included in the inputted digital signals, a waiting state forrecording the specific time is set. In the case where it is detectedthat the reproduction passage time information no longer changes and theaudio data is not included in the inputted digital signals after passingthe specific time, the recording operation of data to the recordingmedium terminates. Moreover, the time, that the specific time has pastfrom the time of which the reproduction passage time information nolonger changes and the end point of the inputted digital signals isdetected, is recorded as a recording end point in the area of therecording medium in which the management data is recorded, thereafter,the whole recording operation terminates.

According to still another embodiment of this invention, a recordingmethod for recording the inputted digital signals to the recordingmedium is proposed, in which the inputted digital signals are outputtedfrom a signal source recorded with sub-code data, and the area where themanagement data is recorded is formed in the recording medium. Such arecording method is performed as follows: The recording operation iscontrolled regarding a pause state and a recording state based on theindex data of sub-code data supplied with the inputted digital signals.It is detected that the index data is the last index data, thereafter,the waiting state for recording the specific time is set. After passingthe specific time, the recording operation of data to the recordingmedium terminates. Moreover, the time, that the specific time has pastfrom the time of which it is detected that the index data is the lastindex data, is recorded as a recording end point in the area of therecording medium in which the management data is recorded, thereafter,the whole recording operation terminates.

According to a still further embodiment of this invention, a recordingmethod for a recording medium is proposed, in which the N-th digitalsignals (N is a natural number) supplied with an additional informationare converted into recording data composed of a plurality of sectors soas to be recorded in the recording medium, and the recording medium hasa data recording area for recording the recording data and a managementarea in which the management data of recording data is recorded. Such arecording method is performed as follows: The recording mode is set toinitiate the recording operation, and at the same time, the recordingstart point in the data recording area of the recording medium is set onthe basis of the management data recorded in the management area of therecording medium. The observation of the additional information which issupplied with the inputted digital signals is started from the time thatthe specific time has past after the recording start point is set. It isdetected whether the inputted digital signal is (N+1)-th signal or notbased on the index information in the additional information. The onepreceding sector from the time that the (N+1)-th digital signal isdetected is set as a recording end point, thereafter, the recordingoperation terminates. Then, the recording start point and the recordingend point which are set are recorded in the management area.

According to yet a further embodiment of this invention, a recordingmethod is proposed of the type in which the inputted analog signals areconverted into the digital signals and recorded on the recording medium.Such recording method is performed as follows: The signal level of theanalog signals to be inputted is detected. Then, the recording operationto the recording medium is stopped at the time it is detected that thesignal level of the inputted analog signals, during a specific periodfrom the time of detection that the detected signal level of the analogsignal becomes lower than a specific signal level.

Thus, according to the various embodiments of this invention, the changepoint of audio data is detected by using, at least, one of theadditional information, which are supplied with the digital signals,such a track number information in sub-code, an index information or areproduction passage time information of audio data, so that the processfor updating the track number recorded in the recording medium iscorrectly performed. Moreover, the update processing can be performedcorrectly by using the detection of existence of voice data in audiodata.

According to this invention, in accordance with the continuity of thereproduction passage time information, the existence of voice data insignals, or the index information, it is judged whether the input ofdigital signals terminates or not. The recording operation of therecording/reproducing unit of recording medium is arranged to stop onthe basis of the judgement result. Therefore, makes it possible toautomatically terminate the recording operation without the user'smanual operation of the unit, and further, enables recording on in therecording medium without a wasted mute portion.

The nature, principle and utility of the invention will become moreapparent from the following detailed description when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts aredesignated by like reference numerals or characters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a chart showing the recording format in the conventionalmagneto-optical disc;

FIG. 2 is a chart showing the format of the conventional magneto-opticaldisc in the case where the recording data is audio data;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for the explanation of sound groups of therecording format in the conventional magneto-optical disc;

FIG. 4 is a chart for the explanation of the TOC of sector 0 in theconventional magneto-optical disc;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for the explanation of a start address andan end address in the conventional magneto-optical disc;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams for the explanation of parts inthe conventional magnetooptical disc, FIG. 6A being a diagram for theexplanation of the recording operation in case where no data is recordedin the conventional magneto-optical disc, and FIG. 6B being a diagramfor the explanation of the recording operation in case where data isrecorded again after data recorded in the conventional magneto-opticaldisc is erased once;

FIG. 7 is a chart for the explanation of the TOC of sector 1 in theconventional magneto-optical disc;

FIG. 8 is a chart for the explanation of the TOC of sector 2 in theconventional magneto-optical disc;

FIG. 9 is a chart for the explanation of the TOC of sector 4 in theconventional magneto-optical disc;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a recording/reproducing unit according tothe present invention;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams for the explanation of the constitutionof the Q data, FIG. 11A being a diagram explaining the Q data of acompact disc and FIG. 11B being a diagram explaining the Q data of amagneto-optical disc according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the track number updating processingaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the automatic recording stop processingaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the recording operation of onecomposition according to a third embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 15 is a signal waveform diagram for the explanation of therecording operation according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of this invention will be described with referenceto the accompanying drawings:

In these embodiments, a unit for recording and reproducing voice signalson a magneto-optical disc is explained. The block diagram is shown inFIG. 10.

A numeral 1 shows a magneto-optical disc which is housed in a disccartridge which is not shown in figure. In the disc cartridge, a pair ofaperture portions (not shown) are formed at the facing position on theupper and lower surfaces of the disc cartridge body. The recording orreproducing operation is performed for the magneto-optical disc 1through the aperture portion. Also, a shutter for opening and shutting apair of aperture portions is movably set on the disc cartridge body.When the disc cartridge is set in the recording/reproducing unit, theshutter is moved to the direction to open a pair of aperture portions,and when the disc cartridge is taken out from the recording apparatus,the shutter is moved to the direction to shut the pair of apertureportions.

The magneto-optical disc is composed of a disc substrate, a recordingfilm, and a protection film. The disc substrate is made up of suchmaterials having light permeability as polycarbonate and PMMA.Pregrooves which wobble toward the diameter of the magneto-optical discon the basis of address data is formed on the disc substrate. In therecording film, such magneto-optical recording materials as terbium(Tb), iron (Fe), and cobalt (Co) are vacuum evaporated on the surface onwhich the pregroove of disc substrate is formed, and are formed to athin film state by a method like a spattering. The protection film isformed on the recording film, to protect the recording film, by using anultraviolet curing resin.

The magneto-optical disc 1 has a data recording area and a managementarea in which management information is recorded. Data is recorded inthe data recording area along the pregroove discretely or continuously.Data is intermittently recorded on and read from the data recording areaon the magnetooptical disc 1 on a cluster by cluster basis. One clusterconsists of thirty two sectors in which data is actually recorded andfour linking sectors. Three sectors of the head among four linkingsectors prevent any interference due to an interleave of CIRC being indata between the neighboring clusters. The rest of one sector followingthese four sectors is for sub-data. One sector further consists of aplurality of sound groups, and a pair of sectors consists of elevensound groups.

In this embodiment, one sector is twenty three hundred and fifty twobytes and twenty three hundred and thirty two bytes of one sector is fordata. One sound group is 424 bytes. Moreover, one sound group is 512samples of audio signals which are for a right channel and a leftchannel, and this corresponds to 11. 61 msec in reproducing time.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 7, 8 and 9, the title information regarding datarecorded in the data area or regarding program, address information suchas a start address and an end address of each data or program, andinformation representing the connecting relation between each smallrecording area and parts P, are recorded in the management area.

After the magneto-optical disc 1 is set in the recording/reproducingunit, the management area is read by an optical pickup described later,before recording or reproducing data into the data recording area, andthen the data which is read from the recording area is stored in amemory described later. The start address and end address recorded inthe management area each consist of twenty four bits data respectively.The cluster number is represented by the upper fourteen bits, the sectornumber is represented by the following six bits, and the sound groupnumber is represented by the lower four bits.

In accordance with this, the pregroove which is formed in themagneto-optical disc 1 wobbles toward the diameter direction of disc,based on the signals modulated on the basis of the address dataincluding each address data of cluster and sector. The signals which areread from this pregroove are demodulated so as to confirm and manage therecording position or the reproducing position during the recording orreproducing operation by a system controller 18.

The numeral 2 shows a spindle motor, which rotates the magneto-opticaldisc 1 at a constant linear velocity (CLV). A turn table (not shown) isprovided at the top of the rotating axis of the spindle motor 2. Themagneto-optical disc 1 in the disc cartridge set in therecording/reproducing unit is placed on the turn table.

The numeral 3 shows an optical pickup having an object lens 3a. Theoptical pickup 3 has a laser light source, an optical system, such as abeam splitter, which separates the light beam emitted from the lightsource and the returning light beam reflected from the magneto-opticaldisc 1, and a light detector for receiving the returning light beamseparated by the beam splitter. The object lens 3a focuses the lightbeam emitted from the light source of the optical pickup 3 onto therecording film via one of the aperture portions of the disc cartridge ofthe magneto-optical disc 1. The optical pickup 3 includes an actuator 4for driving the object lens 3a toward the focusing and trackingdirection. The actuator 4 consists of electromagnetic actuators, andfocusing servo signals and tracking servo signals are supplied from aservo control circuit 17. As a result, the object lens 3a is driven tothe focusing direction and the tracking direction in order that thefocusing error signals and tracking error signals become "0"respectively, and in this way the focusing servo and tracking servo areperformed.

The numeral 5 shows a feed mechanism, which is composed of a guideportion for guiding the optical pickup 3 in the direction of thediameter of the magnetooptical disc 1, and a feed mechanism unit havinga motor for generating the driving power to feed the optical pickup 3 inthe direction of the diameter of the magneto-optical disc 1. The feedmechanism 5 feeds the optical pickup 3 to the direction of diameter ofthe magneto-optical disc 1 based on the feed signals supplied from theservo control circuit 17. As described above, when the optical pickup 3is fed in the direction of the diameter of the magneto-optical disc 1, amagnetic head described later is also fed in the direction of thediameter of the magneto-optical disc 1.

The numeral 6 shows a magnetic head, which faces the protection filmside of the magneto-optical disc 1 through the other aperture portion ofthe disc cartridge. The magnetic head 6 is placed at the position facingthe optical pickup 3 across the magneto-optical disc 1. The magnetichead 6 generates a vertical magnetic field corresponding to therecording data based on the driving signals supplied from a magnetichead driving circuit 14. The generated vertical magnetic field issupplied to the recording film from the protection film side of themagnetooptical disc 1. The magnetic head 6 is mechanically connectedwith the optical pickup 3, and if the optical pickup 3 moves in thedirection of the diameter of the magneto-optical disc 1 by the feedmechanism, the magnetic head 6 also moves in the direction of thediameter of the magneto-optical disc 1.

The numeral 8 shows an A/D (analog to digital) converter, whichdigitalizes input signals supplied from the analog input terminal 7a,for example, analog audio signals by the sampling frequency 44.1 kHz andthe quantization bit size 16 bits. In FIG. 10, for the sake ofsimplicity, the analog audio signals inputted from the analog inputterminal 7a is shown as one channel, however, these are actually twochannels composed of "L" and "R" stereo signals. It will be shown belowin a similar way.

The numeral 9 shows a D/A (digital to analog) converter, which performsthe opposite process to the A/D converter 8 for the digital audiosignals outputted from a first encoder/decoder described later, andsupplies the converted signals to an analog output terminal 7c as analogaudio signals.

The numeral 10 shows the first encoder/decoder, in which the digitalsignals outputted from the A/D converter 8, are supplied in recording,and the digital data read from a buffer memory 12 are supplied inreproducing. In the first encoder/decoder 10, the digital audio signalssupplied from the A/D converter 8 are compressed to about 1/5. In thiscase, in the first encoder/decoder 10, a modified DCT (modified discretecosine transform) is used as a compressing technique in recording, and adata expansion process is also performed to the digital data suppliedfrom the buffer memory in reproducing.

The digital data outputted from the first encoder/decoder 10 aretemporarily stored via a memory controller 11 in the buffer memory 12which is composed of a DRAM (dynamic random access memory) having amemory capacity of 4 Mbits. The memory controller 11 controls writingand reading of the data to and from, respectively, the buffer memory 12.In recording on the magneto-optical disc 1, the digital data outputtedfrom the first encoder/decoder 10 is written in the buffer memory 12 ata transfer rate of 0.3 Mbits/sec and the data stored in the buffermemory 12 is read therefrom at a transfer rate of 1.41 Mbits/sec. Inreproducing the magneto-optical disc 1, the digital data outputted froma second encoder/decoder described later is written in the memory 12 ata transfer rate of 1.41 Mbits/sec, and the data stored in the memory 12is read therefrom at a transfer rate of 0.3 Mbits/sec.

The memory controller 11, in recording, sequentially reads out thecompressed digital data outputted from the memory 12 at a five timesfaster transfer rate than the data writing rate thereto at which thecompressed digital data is output from the first encoder/decoder 10,assuming that there is no track jump which has occurred due to thedisturbance such as vibration, so that the recording position on themagneto-optical disc 1 jumps to another position or other track. Thedigital data read from the memory 12 are supplied to the secondencoder/decoder 13.

When a detection signal representative of the occurrence of a track jumpwhile recording to the magneto-optical disc 1 is supplied to the systemcontroller 18 described later, the memory controller 11 stopstransferring the digital data to the second encoder/decoder, and storesthe compressed digital data from the first encoder/decoder 10 in thememory 12. Then, after the irradiated position of the light beam, i.e.the recording position, irradiated from the optical pickup 3 to themagneto-optical disc 1 is corrected, the memory controller 11 controlsthe data writing and reading for the memory 12 so as to resume theconversion of the digital data to the second encoder/decoder 13 from thememory 12. The recording position is corrected on the basis of theaddress data of the magneto-optical disc 1.

The occurrence of a track jump is detected by the system controller 18,for example, by judging whether a vibration detected by a vibrometer(not shown) which is provided in the recording/reproducing unit, is of amagnitude sufficient to cause a track jump. Alternatively, as describedabove, since the address data is recorded on the pregroove in themagneto-optical disc 1, the address data is read during recording, andthe continuity of the decoded address data outputted from an addressdecoder described later is observed by the system controller 18. Thus,the track jump can be detected. Further, the track jump can be detectedby an OR operation (logical add) between the detected signals of thevibrometer and the signals in which the continuity of the decodedaddress data is detected. When a track jump is detected, the opticalpickup 3 is controlled by the system controller, in order to lower theoutput level of the light beam, which is irradiated from the opticalpickup 3 to the magneto-optical disc 1, to the unrecordable level, or inorder to set the output level to "O".

In the above case, the capacity of the memory 12 must at least besufficient to store the digital data generated during the period fromthe occurrence of the track jump to the time at which the control signalis supplied from the system controller to the optical pickup 3 tocorrect the recording position. In these embodiments, a four Mbits DRAMis used as the memory 12, the memory capacity of which satisfies theabove condition.

The memory controller 11 controls the writing and reading of data in thememory 12 in order to reduce the data stored thereof, while the correctrecording operation is performed during recording. More specifically, ifthe data size in the memory 12 exceeds a predetermined size, the data ofa specific size, for example the data for one cluster, is read from thememory 12 so as to keep the storable area having the data size more thanthe predetermined size in the memory 12 all times.

In this way, the digital data read out from the memory 12 is supplied tothe second encoder/decoder 13. In the second encoder/decoder 13, thesupplied digital data is subject to an encoding process for errordetection correcting and a decoding process which is suitable forrecording. In these embodiments, the EFM (8-14 decoding) process isperformed. A code, so that the interleave is changed regarding CIRC(cross interleave reed-solomon code) of the compact disc (CD), is usedfor the code for error detection correcting.

The recording data outputted from the second encoder/decoder 13 issupplied to a magnetic head driving circuit 14. The magnetic headdriving circuit 14 generates the driving signals for the magnetic head 6based on the recording data, and supplies the driving signals to themagnetic head 6.

The output signals from the light detector of the optical pickup 3 issupplied to a RF amplifier. The RF amplifier 15 generates the RF signalsas a reading signal of the magneto-optical disc 1 based on the outputsignals from the light detector of the optical pickup 3. In thisembodiments, since the magneto-optical disc is used as a recordingmedium, the RF signal is outputted from the RF amplifier 15 based on thedifference of the Kerr rotating angle of the light beam reflected on therecording film of the magneto-optical disc.

The RF signal is supplied to the second encoder/decoder 13. Further, theRF amplifier 15 generates a focusing error signal from output signalsoutputted from the light detector on the basis of the astigmatismmethod. The RF amplifier 15 generates tracking error signals based onthe output signals outputted from the light detector by the three spotmethod. The RF amplifier 15 generates a push-pull signal whichrepresents the detection result of the wobbling pregroove, based on theoutput signals outputted from the light detector by the push-pullmethod, and supplies it to the address decoder. The astigmatism methodis disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,033. The three spotmethod is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,876,842. Thepush-pull method is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,909,608.

The focusing error signals and tracking error signals generated by theRF amplifier 15 are supplied to the servo control circuit 17. The RFamplifier 15 supplies the generated RF signals to the servo controlcircuit to generate a spindle servo signal.

The push-pull signal generated by the RF amplifier 15 is supplied to theaddress decoder 16. The address decoder 15 outputs the address dataobtained by FM demodulating the supplied push-pull signal. The addressdata outputted from the address decoder 16 is supplied to the secondencoder/decoder 13 to perform the decoding processing. The decodedaddress information is supplied from the encoder/decoder 13 to thesystem controller 18 and is used by the system controller 18 for theconfirmation of the recording position during recording or theconfirmation of the reproducing position during reproducing, and forposition control. The synchronization signals extracted from the addressdata decoded by the address decoder 16, are supplied to the servocontrol circuit to generate the spindle servo signals.

The focussing error signals, the tracking error signals, and the RFsignals, or the synchronization signals extracted from the address dataare supplied from the RF amplifier to a servo control circuit 17. Theservo control circuit 17 generates the focussing servo signals, thetracking servo signals, and the spindle servo signals based on thesupplied signals. The focussing servo signals and the tracking servosignals are supplied to the actuator 4 of the optical pickup 3, and thefocussing servo and the tracking servo is performed as described above.

The spindle servo signals are generated based on the either of the RFsignals or the synchronization signals extracted from the address data.The spindle servo signals are supplied to a spindle motor 2, and controlthe spindle motor in order that the magneto-optical disc 1 rotates at aconstant linear rate (CLV).

Further, the servo control circuit 17 generates the feed signals. Thefeed signals are generated based on the low frequency components of thetracking error signals. The feed signals are supplied to the motor ofthe feed mechanism 5, which feeds the optical pickup 3 and the magnetichead 6 in the direction of the diameter of the magneto-optical disc 1,so as to match the recording track along the running of the light beamof the optical pickup 3.

The servo control circuit 17 generates access signals based on an accesscommand sent from the system controller 18, and supplies them the feedmechanism 5. In this case, the access signals are supplied to the feedmechanism 5 which moves the optical pickup 3 and the magnetic head 6 inthe direction of the diameter of the magneto-optical disc 1 by thedistance corresponding to the access command.

The system controller 18 is composed of a micro computer. A key inputpart 19 and a display part 20 are connected to the system controller 18.Further, the clock detected signals of a PLL circuit which aresynchronized with the bit clock of the recording or reproducingoperation, the reproduced data, and the monitor signals of a lackingstate of the frame synchronization signals of L-, R-channel, are alsosupplied.

The system controller 18 generates various control signals for executingthe operation such as a start, a stop, and an access of the recording orthe reproducing, based on the input signals inputted from the input part19, and controls the operation in the parts of the recording/reproducingunit such as the servo control circuit 17, the second encoder/decoder13, and the memory controller 11, and controls the operation, all overthe recording/reproducing unit.

The output level of the light beam irradiated from the optical pickup 3is controlled by the control signals supplied from the controller 18.The output level of the light beam, which is irradiated from the opticalpickup 3 in recording, is high enough to record, and as described above,if the system controller 18 confirms the occurrence of a track jump, theoutput level is immediately lowered to an unrecordable output level, forexample, the output level in reproducing.

The input part 19 is provided in the front panel of the unit body, andhas a plurality of keys such as a power source key for on/off switchingthe power source of the unit, a reproducing key for starting thereproducing operation, a recording key for starting the recordingoperation, a stop key for stopping the recording or reproducingoperation, and a key for executing accessing.

The display part 20 is provided in the front panel of the unit body, andis composed of a display element such as a liquid crystal display or afluorescent display tube. The display control signals, which aregenerated in the system controller 18 based on the data recorded in themanagement area of the magneto-optical disc 1, are supplied to thedisplay part 20. According to these display control signals, the timeinformation such as the total reproducing time of the magneto-opticaldisc 1, the reproducing passage time of data or program in reproducing,the rest time of data or program in reproducing, or the recordable resttime, and the track number in reproducing or recording, are displayed inthe display part 20. Further, if the disc title, the title informationof each data or program, or the data regarding the recording date of thedata or program, are recorded in the magnetooptical disc 1, these aredisplayed in the display part 20 selectively.

A memory 21 stores the data recorded in the management area of themagneto-optical disc 1, and is hereinafter referred to as a table ofcontents or TOC memory. After the disc cartridge is set in therecording/reproducing unit, the optical pickup 3 is fed to the innerposition of the magneto-optical disc 1, and the data recorded in themanagement area of the magneto-optical disc 1 is read out by the opticalpickup 3, in accordance with the control signals from the systemcontroller 18, before the recording data is recorded to themagneto-optical disc 1, or the data recorded in the magneto-optical discis read out. The data, which is read out by the optical pickup 3 and isrecorded in the management area, is stored in the TOC memory 21. Thesystem controller 18 controls the recording or reproducing operation ofthe recording/reproducing unit by using the data recorded in themanagement area stored in the TOC memory 21.

In the recording/reproducing unit according to this invention, audiosignals from a compact disc player, tape player, or some othermagneto-optical recording/reproducing unit using the same recordingformat with the magneto-optical disc according to this invention aresupplied to an analog input terminal 7a or a digital input terminal 7b,when data is recorded onto the magneto-optical disc 1.

The recording signal which is supplied to the analog input terminal 7a,for example, an analog audio signal is converted into digital data by anA/D converter 8, which digital data is then supplied to the firstencoder/decoder 10, therein to undergo an audio compression decodingprocess.

On the other hand, audio information reproduced on an external compactdisc player or another magneto-optical disc recording/reproducing unitis supplied to the digital terminal 7b in the form of digital data. Thedigital data is then supplied as recording data to the firstencoder/decoder 10. This digital data includes control data such assub-code information, as well as audio information.

When digital data is inputted from the digital input terminal 7b, thefirst encoder/decoder 10 extracts control data Sc from the digital dataand supplies the control data Sc thus extracted to the system controller18 for the management of musical compositions to be recorded.

As well known digital data to be input to the terminal 7b from a compactdisk player, for example, there are U bit data, C bit data, V bit dataas control data, as well as audio data.

U bit data includes sub-code data formed of P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and Wdata, whereas C bit data includes category data, sampling frequencydata, clock data, optical system data, etc., which are used for thediscrimination of recording media. Also, V bit data includes errorflags, etc.

The system controller 18 manages various recording operations by usingnecessary data selected from among these items of control data Sc, andupdates the track number of data being recorded on the basis of Q dataof U bit data, as will be described later. Also, the system controller18 is designed so as to discriminate a source of data input by using Vbit data.

The structure of Q data depends on each recording medium. FIG. 11A showsthe Q data Q_(CD) structure of a compact disc. FIG. 11B shows thestructure of the Q data Q_(MD) of the magneto-optical disc used in thisinvention.

For a compact disk, Q data Q_(CD) consists of control bit C_(TL) andaddress bit Ad followed by the track number TNO of the current musicalcomposition followed by index information INDEX. Index information INDEXis information about the subdivisions of a musical composition, theinformation of which enables a musical composition with a certain numberto be subdivided into groups corresponding to INDEX "01" to INDEX "99".If the musical composition is not subdivided, INDEX "01" is continuouslyassigned up to the end position of the pertinent musical composition. Inthe intermission, during a pause, from the end of one musicalcomposition to the beginning of another musical composition, the indexinformation is INDEX "00".

Subsequently, to Q data Q_(CD) is assigned intra composition lapseinformation (MIN, SEC, FRAME) with measures in minutes, seconds, andframes, absolute time information (AMIN, ASEC, AFRAME), and CRC code.

To Q data Q_(MD) for the magneto-optical disc 1 using in used inventionis assigned track number TNO, index information INDEX, and a CRC code,but not time information. There are three values of index informationINDEX: "01" to "99" indicative of "under reproduction," "00" indicativeof "pausing," and "FF" indicative of "reproduction being stopping."

As will be described in detail later, system controller 18 uses indexinformation INDEX and intra-composition lapse information (MIN, SEC,FRAME) of such Q data.

Moreover, apart from such Q data, the system controller 18 also detectswhether or not there is audio data input to the first encoder/decoder 10and uses the audio data, if any, to detect the end of a musicalcomposition to be supplied.

Such a recordable disc medium, particularly, is usually recorded withmanagement data for discrimination of recordable areas and recordedareas, the management data being rewritten as data is recorded or erasedso that recording can always be started from a specified recordablearea.

The basic recording operation of the recording/reproducing unitconstituted in this way will be explained.

When the recording key of the input part 19 is operated, the systemcontroller 18 generates the control signal to boost up the operation onthe recording/reproducing unit's parts. After the operation of thefocusing servo, the tracking servo, etc. are boosted up, and the inputsignal inputted from the analog input terminal 7a, for example, theanalog audio signal is supplied to the A/D converter 8 to convert intothe digital audio signal, which is a 16 bit digital signal. The digitalaudio signal is supplied to the first encoder/decoder 10, is datacompressed to about 1/5 data size, and thereafter, stored once in thememory 12 via the memory controller 11. In the case where the inputsignal is a digital signal, the digital signal is directly inputted fromthe digital input terminal 7b to the first encoder/decoder 10, and isdata compressed to about 1/5 data size similarly to the case of theanalog input signal.

The digital data stored in the memory 12 is read out by the memorycontroller 11, and is supplied to the second encoder/decoder 13. The EFMprocess and the error detection correction encoding process areperformed on the digital data supplied to the second encoder/decoder 13,which is then converted into the recording data. The recording data issupplied to the magnetic head 6 via the head driving circuit 14. Themagnetic head 6 supplies the vertical magnetic field modulated by thedriving signal in accordance with the recording data to themagneto-optical disc 1.

At this time, a light beam having the necessary output level to recordis irradiated from the optical pickup 3 of the disc substrate side ofthe magneto-optical disc 1. As a result, the recording film of themagneto-optical disc 1 is heated up to the Curie temperature by thelight beam irradiated from the optical pickup 3, while supplying thevertical magnetic field modulated from the magnetic head 6. Then, thetemperature of recording film drops from the Curie temperature byrelatively movement between the light beam and the magneto-opticaldisc 1. At this time, the magnetizing direction of the recording film ischanged and determined, in accordance with the direction of the verticalmagnetic field supplied to the magneto-optical disc 1 by the magnetichead 6, and data is recorded on the magneto-optical disc 1. In this way,the data, which is corresponding to about two seconds (1 cluster) of theoriginal analog audio signal, is recorded on the magneto-optical disc 1at about 0.4 seconds. The data is intermittently recorded to themagneto-optical disc 1 with one cluster unit.

During this recording operation, if the system controller 18 detects theoccurrence of a track jump due to a vibration, etc., the output level ofthe light beam irradiated from the optical pickup 3 lowers to anunrecordable output level immediately, and at the same time, thesupplying of the recording data to the magnetic head 6 or the readingthe digital data from the memory 12 is stopped. The input signalinputted from the input terminal 7a or 7b is stored in the memory 12,while the light beam irradiated from the optical pickup 3 accesses againto the position before the track jump occurs and then the accessoperation terminates. When the accessing of the light beam terminates,the output level of light beam irradiated from the optical pickup 3rises to the necessary output level to record, and simultaneously, thesupplying of recording data to the magnetic head 6 re-starts and thenthe recording operation starts.

Further, the system controller 18 sets and controls the recordingstarting position in the data recording area of the magneto-optical disc1, based on data inputted by the input part 19 or data which is readfrom the management area stored in the TOC memory 21. Moreover, the datawhich is read from the management area and stored in the systemcontroller 18 or the memory 12, is changed to match to the recordingoperation at all times during recording. At the time that the datacorresponding to all input signals has been recorded, or before the disccartridge is ejected from the recording/reproducing unit by operatingthe stop key of the input part 19, the optical pickup 3 and the magnetichead 6 access to the management area so as to update the data recordedin the management area of the magneto-optical disc 1. After the updatingoperation terminates, the disc cartridge is ejected from therecording/reproducing unit.

Next, the reproducing operation in the recording/reproducing unit willbe explained.

When the disc cartridge is set in the recording/reproducing unit, thespindle motor 2 boosts up, and the focusing servo and the tracking servois pulled in, thereafter, the optical pickup 3 is fed in the directionof the diameter of the magneto-optical disc 1 by the feed mechanism 5 toread the management area on the magneto-optical disc 1. At this time,the output level of the light beam irradiated from the optical pickup 3to the magneto-optical disc 6 is set to an output level which preventsdata from being recorded, in other wards, the recording film can be notheated to the Curie temperature. The data, which is read by the opticalpickup 3 and is recorded in the management area, is stored in the TOCmemory 21.

Next, the optical pickup 3 is moved to the data recording area of themagneto-optical disc 1 by the feed mechanism, and the data recorded inthe data recording area is read out. The system.controller 18 controlsthe recorded data position in data recording area to be read and theorder of reading in accordance with the input signals inputted from theinput part 19. The output signal outputted from the light detector ofthe optical pickup 3 is supplied to the RF amplifier 15, and asdescribed above, such signals as a focusing error signal and a trackingerror signal, and an RF signal are generated. The focusing error signal,the tracking error signal, the RF signal, and the synchronization signalextracted from the address data, is supplied to the servo controlcircuit 17, and then the focusing servo signal, the tracking servosignal, the spindle servo signal, and the feed signal are generated inthe servo control circuit 17.

The focusing servo signal and the tracking servo signal are supplied tothe actuator 4 of the optical pickup 3 so as to perform the focusingservo and tracking servo. The spindle servo signal is supplied to thespindle motor 2 so as to perform the spindle servo. The RF signal issupplied to the second encoder/decoder 13 to perform EFM demodulationand error correcting process. The address data decoded by the addressdecoder 16 is supplied to the system controller 18 via the secondencoder/decoder 13. The system controller 18 controls the optical pickup3 to adjust the reproducing position in the direction of the diameter ofthe magneto-optical disc 1, based on the supplied address information.The system controller 18 manages the reproducing position on therecording track of the magneto-optical disc 1 scanned by the opticalpickup 3, by using the reproduced address information. The data isintermittently read from the magneto-optical disc 1 in cluster units.

The digital data outputted from the second encoder/decoder 13 is storedonce in the memory 12 via the memory controller 11. If there is no trackjump, by which the reproducing position moves due to a vibration, etc.,occurring during reproducing, the memory controller 11 writes thedigital data in the memory 12 at the transfer rate of 1.41 Mbits/sec,and simultaneously, read out the digital data written in the memory 12therefrom at the transfer rate of 0.3 Mbits/sec. The memory controller11 controls digital data writing to the memory 12 in order that the datastored in the memory 12 is not less than a predetermined size. When thedata size in the memory 12 is not less than the predetermined size, thereading of data from the magneto-optical disc 1 stops to become a pause.

In the case where the system controller 18 detects the occurrence of atrack jump during reproducing, the memory controller 11 stops writingthe digital data outputted from the second encoder/decoder 13 to thememory 12, and only transfers digital data from the memory 12 to thefirst encoder/decoder 10. Then, after the position of the light beamirradiated from the optical pickup 3 to the magneto-optical disc, thatis, the reproducing position, is accessed to the position before thetrack jump occurred, the writing operation to the memory 12 of thedigital data outputted from the second encoder/decoder 13 is performedagain.

During the period from the detection of the track jump until theoperation to correct the reproducing position terminates, the digitaldata stored in the memory 12 is read out to perform decoding andoutputted from the analog output terminal 7c.

The digital data read out from the memory 12 is supplied to the firstencoder/decoder 10 to perform the extension process. The digital audiosignal outputted from the first encoder/decoder 10 is supplied to theD/A converter 9 to be converted to an analog audio signal, and isoutputted from the analog output terminal 7c to the outer unit of theexterior amplifier circuit, etc.

In this reproducing operation, during normal reproducing, the memorycontroller 11 controls the writing to the memory 12 in order to storesufficient data to allow for the necessary minimum time to correct thereproducing position in the event of a track jump. If the data size inthe memory 12 becomes the predetermined size or less, the memorycontroller 11 generates the control signal from the memory controller 18to intermittently read out the data from the magneto-optical disc 1 bythe optical pickup 3, and write the digital data from the secondencoder/decoder 13 to the memory 12. Even if the DRAM having the memorycapacity of 1 Mbits, the necessary time for writing the digital data inall the memory 12 is 0.9 seconds, and this digital data is correspondingto the analog signal of about three seconds. More specifically, when thedigital data is fully stored in the memory 12, if the output signal isnot supplied, due to the vibration, etc., from the optical pickup 3which has read the magneto-optical disc 1, the analog signal can becontinuously output from the analog output terminal 7c as thereproducing signal for about 3 seconds. In this embodiment, since theDRAM having 4 Mbits memory capacity is used as the memory 12, thereproducing signal can be continuously outputted from the analog outputterminal 7c for about 12 seconds. During that time, the reproducingposition on the disc is accessed again to the position before the trackjump occurs by the optical pickup 3, and the reading of the data fromthe magneto-optical disc 1 is performed again so as to prevent the breakof the analog signal as the reproducing signal from the analog outputterminal 7c.

After all data recorded in the magneto-optical disc 1 has reproduced, orwhen the stop key of the input part 19 is operated, the reproducingoperation stops, and the disc cartridge is ejected from therecording/reproducing unit.

Next, the track number update process according to the embodiment ofthis invention will be explained using a flowchart shown in FIG. 12.This update processing program is previously stored in the ROM (notshown) of the system controller 18.

For convenience of description, it is assumed in the presentrecording/reproducing unit that a compact disc player or amagneto-optical disc having a same format with this invention is asource for supplying the digital audio data to the magneto-optical disc1 for recording, and that other sources supply analog audio signals.

In recording, the system controller 18 first determines whether theaudio signals inputted to the magneto-optical disc 1 are digital data oranalog signals (SP101). That is, it determines to which of the analoginput terminal 7a or the digital input terminal 7b the signal will beinputted.

In the case where the analog signal is inputted, control proceeds tostep SP115 because there is no control data, such as sub-codes, and asilent section between musical compositions is to be detected forcarrying out track number updating process automatically duringrecording.

In the case where the digital signal is inputted, the categoryinformation is extracted from the C bit data which is transmittedtogether with the inputted digital signal to determine what therecording medium as a signal source is (SP102). If it is a compact disc(CD), the flag F_(CD) is turned on (SP103), and if it is amagneto-optical disc having the same format with this invention, theflag F_(MD) is turned on (SP104). In other cases, the flag F_(EX) isturned on (SP105).

The operation to give track numbers in response to musical compositions,that is, digital signals, being recorded, begins at the time when theuser starts the recording operation with the input part 19 (SP106). Morespecifically, the operation to update the track number at the time whenthe recording of digital signal corresponding to a musical compositionends and the recording of digital signal corresponding to anothermusical composition begins so that musical compositions to be recordedcan be controlled by the management data in response to track numbers.Furthermore, track number "1" is given to the digital signalcorresponding to the first musical composition at the time when therecording operation begins, but if some data have already been recordedon the magneto-optical disc, the next number of the number of musicalcompositions recorded is regarded as a first track number at the timewhen the recording operation begins. The number of musical compositionsand the track numbers recorded can be determined by the management datastored in the TOC memory 21.

Even if the recording operation begins, the process waits for "n"seconds, e.g., two seconds after the start of recording operation toprevent an erroneous update immediately after the update of tracknumbers (SP107). This is usually set at a value at which the tracknumber will not be updated in a short time. If the time is set at abouttwo seconds for example, it is effective for preventing erroneousupdating of track numbers by a change in sub-code during the searchoperation because it does not happen that a track of a musicalcomposition ends in two seconds after the update of track number andmoves to the next track, the next musical composition. Of course, thetime can be longer than two seconds.

In addition, such a waiting time is suitable for the recording ofmusical compositions, but in cases of recording voice signal such asconversations, etc., for example, it is necessary to set this timefairly short enough to perform such a waiting process because the timeof the sound signal itself of one unit in which a track number is givencan be considered to be fairly short. Therefore, it is desired that thewaiting time is changed in accordance with the type of digital data tobe recorded.

Whether or not the flag F_(CD) or flag F_(MD) is turned on is checkedafter the waiting time passes (SP108). In cases where the flag F_(CD) orF_(MD) is not turned on, the source is not a CD nor a magneto-opticaldisc having the same format with this invention, and there is no W datanecessary for track number processing. In this case, the processproceeds to step SP115 similar to the case of an analog input and thetrack number update processing is to be performed based on the detectionof a silent section. That is, if the silent section continues for apredetermined period of time, it is determined to be a section betweenmusical compositions and the track number is updated (SP115-SP116).

In cases where the signal source is a CD or a magneto-optical dischaving the same format with this invention, the process proceeds to stepSP109 and the track number information TN0 of Q data is determined.

Even if the track number information TN0 changes, the track number isnot updated immediately and the index information INDEX is determined(SP110). When the index information INDEX is "00", the process is at asection between musical compositions and not at the point where thetrack number is to be updated. The process waits up to a position wherethe next musical composition or audio data with INDEX of "01" starts. Incases where INDEX ="02"-"99", the process is in the middle of a musicalcomposition and the audio data at that time is not at a point where thetrack number information TNO should change. That is, this means that thechange point of the track number information TNO was erroneouslydetermined and this erroneous determination is canceled by thedetermination of index information INDEX.

If index information INDEX is determined as "01", the flag F_(MD) isdetermined next (SP111). When the flag F_(Md) is on, that is, when thesignal source is a magneto-optical disc having the same format with thisinvention, the process proceeds to step SP114 because the progress timeinformation is not obtained as Q data Q_(CD).

If cases where the flag F_(Md) is off and the signal source is a CD, theprogress time information in a musical composition in the Q data Q_(CD)is determined at step SP112. That is, it is determined at step SP113whether or not the process is at the head position of a musicalcomposition by whether or not the minute information MIN is "00". Then,it is determined whether or not the state is a normal reproduction statein which the frame is obtained from the frame information FRAMEsuccessively for three times, in other wards, whether or not the frameis skipped by a track jump, such as search operation, and then theprocess proceeds to step SP114.

In step SP114, it is determined whether or not audio data has beenactually supplied. If there is no audio data of a predetermined level ormore at that point in step SP114, the process waits for updating thetrack number. The point where audio data is actually obtained is takenas the head position of a musical composition or a audio data. Theprocess proceeds to step SP116 and the track number is updated.

If it is determined in step SP117 that recording is to continue, theprocess waits for "n" seconds in step SP107 immediately after the tracknumber is updated to prevent an erroneous update similarly to the abovecases where the recording operation starts. Then, the operation similarto that mentioned above is repeated. The musical compositions or theaudio data recorded are properly given track numbers to manage byperforming the above processing until the recording operation is stopped(SP117). That is, the recording position is controlled in response tothe track numbers on the management data. in addition, if the signalsource is a digital audio tape (DAT), it can be treated as a CD and theDAT is processed similar to a CD.

In the first embodiment, the track number at the time of recordingdigital input data is updated as follows. At first, the change in tracknumber is detected (SP109), then the reach from a section betweenmusical compositions to start position of a musical composition or audiodata is detected by index information. Further, in cases where thesource is a CD, it is confirmed (SP112) by progress time informationthat the position is the head position of a musical composition or audiodata and the source device is in a normal reproduction state, andfurthermore, it is confirmed (SP114) that the position is a point wherethe audio output is actually started. As a result, an erroneous updateof the track number is prevented and the track number is givenaccurately at the head position of a musical composition which is moresuitable than a section between musical compositions.

In addition, an erroneous update of the track numbers can be preventedby giving a process wait time (SP107) immediately after a recordingoperation and the update of the track number.

The following explains how the system controller 18 exercises recordingstop control in a second embodiment in reference to the flowchart inFIG. 13.

For the sake of convenience of explanation, it is assumed that a compactdisc player or the other recording/reproducing unit similar to themagneto-optical disc recording/reproducing unit of this invention areprovided as a signal source for supplying digital audio data to berecorded onto the magnetooptical disc 1 similar to the first embodimentand analog audio signals are supplied from some other signal source. Inaddition, one possible signal source of digital signal would be digitalaudio tape (DAT), but an explanation of a DAT as a digital signal sourceis omitted here similar to the case of the first embodiment, because itsprocessing basically conforms to that of a compact disc (CD).

In recording, the system controller 18 first discriminates whether theaudio signal input for being recorded onto the magneto-optical disc 1 isdigital data or an analog signal, or discriminates to which of theanalog input terminal 7a or the digital input terminal 7b the audiosignal is going to be input therefrom.

In the case of an analog input signal, it should be noticed that theautomation of a recording stop process entails detecting (FIG. 12,SP1lS) a mute interval during recording and stopping recording throughdetection of the end of a supply of audio signals from the signal sourceif the mute interval has continued for at least a specified length oftime, in as much as analog input signals lack control data, such assub-codes. The automation of a recording stop process will be describedlater.

For digital input, the system controller 18 of this embodiment performsthe following process as shown in FIG. 13. This processing program ispreviously written in a ROM (not shown) of the system controller 18.

The system controller 18 first proceeds from step SP1 to step SP2 todetect the category of information in C bit data transmitted togetherwith audio data, and discriminates between a compact disc (CD) and amagneto-optical disc having the same format with the magneto-opticaldisc in this invention as a recording medium which is the signal source.

If there is a CD, then the system controller 18 proceeds to step SP3 tostand by with a recording start operation. If it is a magneto-opticaldisc having the same format with this invention, the system controller18 proceeds to step SP10 to stand by with a recording start operation.

Subsequently, when a CD is the signal source, the system controller 18proceeds from step SP3 to step SP4 if a user inputs a command forrecording operations from the input part 19 to start monitoring thesupplied digital data for an end state.

That is, the system controller 18 at step SP4 first detects elapsedplaying time, referred to herein as lapse information (in minutes andseconds), in Q data Q_(CD) and monitors changes in the lapseinformation. When the lapse information ceases to change any longer, inwhich the reproduction on the part of the CD terminates, the systemcontroller 18 proceeds to step SP5 to judge whether or not audio data indigital data is actually being contained.

When the lapse information has ceased to change and no audio data occursany more, the system controller 18 can confirm that the compact discplayer is almost surely in a reproduction end state. In this state, thesystem controller 18 does not immediately stop recording, but proceedsto step SP6 to set the standing by state for "m" seconds, e.g., aboutten seconds and in the meanwhile makes sure that there is still nochange in lapse information and no audio data occurs. By setting acertain length of standby time like this, it becomes possible to makesure of an end of reproduction even if there occurs a state such thatthe lapse information ceases to change because of such an operation astrack access on the part of the compact disc player.

When it is confirmed that there has been no change in lapse informationduring a state of standby for "m" seconds and in the meanwhile there hasoccurred no audio data, the system controller 18 proceeds to a recordingstop process on the recording/reproducing unit on its judgement that thecompact disc player has terminated reproduction.

That is, the system controller 18 then proceeds to step SP7 and sets therecording end time position for a point of time determined bysubtracting from the moment of time when it was judged that the compactdisc player terminated reproduction. That is, the system controller 18writes into the user TOC as the end address of the recorded audio datathe track address of a location determined by subtracting (m-α) from thetime position where it was judged that reproduction ended, where a isset at about one second, for example, and thus a time position with anallowance of about one second from the time position where the lapseinformation ceased to change and audio data ceased to occur is regardedas a recording end position.

Subsequently, the system controller 18 proceeds to step SP8 to stopactual recording and then proceeds to step SP9 to terminate theprocessing procedure.

By going through these processes, the recording/reproducing unit isenabled to avoid needless recording in a mute state through terminatingrecording operations automatically as a compact disc player, which isthe signal source, stops reproduction even when there is still enoughrecordable space left in the data recording area on the magneto-opticaldisc 1.

If the signal source is a magneto-optical disc having the same formatwith this invention, on the other hand, the system controller 18 at stepSP10 detects a recording start time and then proceeds to step SP11 tomonitor Q data Q_(Md) for index information

In the case where the signal source is the magneto-optical discdescribed above, index information INDEX can be any of "01" to "99"during reproduction; is "00" during a pause; and is "FF" during areproduction stop. Thus, the system controller 18 can detect a stop ofreproduction through monitoring states resulting in INDEX="FF".

The system controller 18 first monitors if INDEX="01" to "99" at stepSP11 and then if otherwise, monitors whether or not INDEX="OO" at stepSP12. When INDEX="OO", or when the magneto-optical discrecording/reproducing unit to be the signal source has come to a pause,the system controller 18 proceeds to step SP13 and temporarily stops therecording operation of the recording/reproducing unit of this inventionin which the signal is supplied. The system controller 18 then goes backto step SP11 and performs the processes of steps SP14 and SP15 insequence when INDEX="01" to "99". Hence, if the recording/reproducingunit being supplied is in the current temporary stop state, this stateis reset, and then the system controller 18 proceeds to recordingoperations again.

In response to such signal source, the temporary stoppage of recordingcan be brought about also where the signal source is a CD, in which itis needed to detect index information before proceeding to step SP4mentioned above.

When index information INDEX is neither "01" to "99" nor "00", thesystem controller 18 proceeds from step SP11 through step SP12 to stepSP16, thereon judging whether or not INDEX="FF". If INDEX="FF", thereproduction of the magneto-optical disc having the same format withthis invention as the source is regarded as having been terminated, sothe system controller 18 will regard the point of time when thereproduction of the magneto-optical disc ended as the point of time whenthe recording operations of recording/reproducing unit on themagneto-optical disc 1 ended. Further, in this case, the recording endtime position is when the state INDEX="FF" was detected.

Alternatively, a standby processing can be performed to detect an exactend of reproduction, similar to the above step SP6 following thedetection of INDEX="FF", in which the recording end time position is setfor a time position as long as (m-α) before the end of standby statetime.

By performing these processes, the recording/reproducing unit of thisinvention can automatically terminate recording as a magneto-opticaldisc recording/reproducing unit which is a signal source using the sameformat with this invention comes to a stop, similar to the case wherethe signal source is a compact disc player, and thus can avoid needlessrecording in a mute state to the magnetooptical disc 1.

Even where some signal source other than a CD, a magneto-optical dischaving the same format with this invention, or a DAT is possiblyemployed, the recording/reproducing unit needs only to exerciserecording end control through detecting a stop of reproduction on thepart of the signal source by using both simultaneously transmittedcontrol data and discrimination as to the occurrence or nonoccurrence ofcontrol data and audio data according to the format of controlinformation added to the data.

The above-described constitution enables automatic termination ofrecording upon completion of the sound reproduction of audio equipmentin recording music information from audio equipment in recording mediumunits, thereby simplifying the entire operation.

The third embodiment will be explained hereinafter with reference toFIG. 14.

As a matter of course, if performances of musical compositions selectedby a user could be recorded automatically in music composition units,the ease-of-use and convenience of recording/reproducing units of thiskind would undoubtedly be improved.

For this purpose, in the embodiment here, the system controller 18 hasbeen designed so as to follow the processing procedure shown in FIG. 14to record performances of musical compositions automatically in musicalcomposition units.

That is, the system controller 18 proceeds from step SP20 to step SP21,thereon judging whether the key for recording one musical compositionwas pressed.

In the third embodiment, the magneto-optical disc recording/reproducingunit is so designed as to arrange ordinary recording keys and a key forrecording one musical composition on a input part 19. When the recordingkey for recording one musical composition is pressed, the systemcontroller 18 proceeds to step SP22 to judge whether or not therecording key is pressed.

After a user operates the compact disc player to locate the top of themusical composition desired, the reproducing key on the part of thecompact disc player and the recording key in the input part of therecording/reproducing unit are pressed. The system controller 18proceeds to step SP23, thereupon sending control data to the signalprocessing circuits, such as the first encoder/decoder section 10 andthe memory controller 11, and the servo control circuit 17 to switch theoperation mode of the system to the recording mode.

At subsequent step SP24, the system controller 18 gains access to theTOG memory 21, detects a recordable area pointed to by a pointer(P-EMPTY), and sets the start address A of the leading part P of therecordable area based on the result of the detection.

Subsequently, the system controller 18 proceeds to step SP25, thereonstarts monitoring control data sent from the compact disc player afterthe lapse of a specified duration and thus starts detecting the top of asubsequent musical composition at step SP26 before proceeding to stepSP27.

The system controller 18 then starts monitoring control data after thelapse of a specified duration so as not to mistake a mute periodimmediately following the start of recording for an intermission betweentwo musical compositions, thereby reliably detecting the start of asubsequent musical composition.

The system controller 18 then monitors Q data Q_(CD) as control data forindex information and judges whether or not the position in question isthe top of a subsequent musical composition. If a negative result isobtained, the system controller 18 repeats step SP26, whereas if the topof a subsequent musical composition is detected, the system controller18 proceeds to step SP27.

The system controller 18 then detects the sector being recorded withregard to the initial position of the subsequent musical compositiondetected at step SP26, and sets a sector recorded immediately prior tothe sector in question as end sector B.

Thereby, the system controller 18 first sets start address A and thensets a link pointer if necessary, and subsequently designates parts P insequence and sets the last sector as end sector B to update the TOCmemory 21.

If a start address and an end address have thus been set, the systemcontroller 18 proceeds to step SP28 to exert stop control over recordingoperations and then proceeds to step SP29 to rewrite the management areaof the magneto-optical disc 1, thereby updating the management data ofthe magneto-optical disc 1 with the contents of the TOC memory 21 beforeterminating this processing procedure at step SP30.

The constitution shown in FIG. 14 enables automatic recording in musicalcomposition units without bringing recording operations to a stop aftera user's making sure of the end of each musical composition, thusimproving the easiness-of-use of the recording/reproducing unit.

In this embodiment, the end of each musical composition is detected bydetecting the signal level of the input signal and the signal level ofaudio information instead of control data output from digital audioequipment, thereby recording audio signals on the magneto-optical disc 1in musical composition units or in recording medium units on the signalsource side.

The fourth embodiment of this invention will be explained hereinafterusing FIG. 15.

As shown in FIG. 15, the system controller 18, when it starts recording,detects a point of time t1, when the signal level falls to level 0 bydetecting the signal levels of audio data in sequence, or by detectingthe signal levels of inputted analog signal, and judges this point oftime t1, as the end position of a performance of a musical compositionselected by a user, which is the inputted analog signal or thereproduction of audio data, when this signal level of inputted analogsignal or the audio data is retained at level 0 for a specified period,T1.

Thus, the system controller 18 sets the end address of data recorded onthe magneto-optical disc 1 to another point of time t2, after a lapse ofa specified period T2 from t1, and updates the management data of theTOC memory 21. In addition, after the recording operation to themagneto-optical disc 1 starts, the signal level of audio information ofaudio data or the signal level of inputted analog signal is detectedafter a lapse of specified time from the starting of the recordingoperation to the magnetooptical disc 1. As shown in FIG. 15, this isbecause if the signal level is detected as soon as the recording starts,the end of the preceding musical composition is possibly detected.

In this way, the system controller 18 can detect an interval between twomusical compositions and the end of a recording medium by selecting thelength of this period T1, according as recording is to be done inmusical composition units or in recording medium units. The systemcontroller 18 is enabled to perform an automatic recording process bothwhen recording performances in musical composition units and whenrecording performances in recording medium units.

According to the constitution shown in FIG. 15, a desired audio data oranalog signal can be automatically recorded to the magneto-optical disc1 in musical composition units or in recording medium units, even ifstop control is exerted over recording operations, on the basis of theresults of detecting the signal levels of audio signals which is audiodata or the signal levels of analog signal inputted from the inputterminal 7a to detect the end of each musical composition.

For the embodiments mentioned above, descriptions have been confined tosome cases where this invention is applied to recording/reproducingunits using a magneto-optical disc unit, but the scope of this inventionis not restricted to recording/reproducing units, but this invention canbe widely applied to recording-only devices as well. Moreover, thisinvention can be widely applied also to recorders compatible withvarious re-loadable optical discs and various tape recording media, aswell as to recorders compatible with magneto-optical discs.

While there has been described in connection with the preferredembodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in theart that various changes and modifications may be aimed, therefore, tocover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications as fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A recordinq method for recording an inputted digital signal on a recording medium in which management data corresponding to the digital signal is recorded with an additional information, wherein:the inputted digital signal is recorded on the recording medium, and it is detected whether the additional information of the inputted digital signal changes or not; and when no change of a reproducing time information contained in the additional information is detected, and simultaneously, no existence of data in the inputted digital signal is detected, the recording operation of the inputted digital signal to the recording medium is stopped.
 2. A recording method for recording an inputted digital signal on a recording medium in which management data corresponding to the digital signal is recorded with an additional information, wherein:the inputted digital signal is recorded on the recording medium, and it is detected whether the additional information of the inputted digital signal changes or not; and after no change of the reproducing time information in the additional information is detected, and simultaneously, no existence of data in the inputted digital signal is detected, the recording operation of the inputted digital signal is changed to a waiting state for a predetermined period of time.
 3. A recording method according to claim 2, wherein:a digital data is recorded in an area of the recording medium where the management data is recorded as a recording end point of the inputted digital signal to the recording medium, the recording end point being a time point occurring during the predetermined period of time.
 4. A recording method for recording an inputted digital signal on a recording medium, in which the inputted digital signal is outputted with sub-code data from a signal source in which the digital signal is recorded with the sub-code data, and an area for recording a management data is provided on the recording medium, wherein:an end point of the inputted digital signal is detected by detecting whether a reproducing time information as part of the subcode data supplied with the inputted digital signal changes or not; after the end point of the inputted digital signal is detected, it is detected whether audio data is included in the inputted digital signal or not; after it is detected that the audio data is not included in the inputted digital signal, a waiting state for recording is set during a predetermined time period; if it is detected, after the predetermined time period passes, that the reproducing time information ceases changing and the audio data is not included in the inputted digital signal, the recording operation of the audio data to the recording medium is terminated; a data indicative of a recording end point of the data which is recorded in the data recording area of the recording medium, is recorded in the area of the recording medium where the management data is recorded, the recording end point being a time point occurring during the predetermined time period, and then whole recording operation is terminated.
 5. A recording method for recording an inputted digital signal on a recording medium, in which the inputted digital signal is outputted with sub-code data from a signal source in which the digital signal is recorded with the sub-code data, and an area where a management data is recorded is provided on the recording medium, wherein:a recording operation is controlled between a temporary stop state and a recording state based on an index data of the sub-code data supplied with the inputted digital signal; after it is detected that the index data is a last index data, the waiting state for recording is set during a predetermined time period; after the predetermined time period passes, the recording operation of the audio data to the recording medium is terminated; a data indicative of a recording end point is recorded in the area of the recording medium where the management data is recorded, the recording end point occurring during the predetermined time period, and then whole recording operation is terminated.
 6. A recording method for recording a digital signal, which is reproduced from a first recording medium in which the digital signal is recorded along with sub-code information in either or both of a plurality of continuous small recording areas or a plurality of discrete small recording areas, the reproduced signal being recorded in a data recording area of a second recording medium having a management area for recording a management data of the digital signal recorded in the data recording area, wherein:the recording operation of the second recording medium is controlled between a waiting state and a recording state as a function of a change of index data of the sub-code information supplied with the digital signal reproduced from the first recording medium by the following steps:after it is detected that the reproduction of the first recording medium has terminated by detecting a last index data of the sub-code information, the recording operation of the second recording medium is set to the waiting state for a predetermined time period; after the predetermined time period passes, the recording operation of the audio data from the first recording medium to the second recording medium is terminated; and a data indicative of a recording end point is recorded in the management area, the recording end point occurring during the predetermined time period, and then the whole recording operation is terminated.
 7. A recording method for recording a digital signal reproduced from a first recording medium in which the digital signal is recorded with sub-code data, to a second recording medium having a data recording area and a table of contents (TOC) area where a management data of data to be recorded in a data recording area is recorded, wherein:an end point of the digital signal outputted from the first recording medium is detected on the basis of the result whether a reproducing time information of the sub-code data outputted from the first recording medium with the digital signal changes or not; after the reproducing time information ceases changing and the end point of the reproducing operation of the first recording medium is detected, it is detected whether an audio data is included in the digital signal outputted from the first recording medium or not; after it is detected that the audio data is not included in the digital signal, the recording operation to the second recording medium changes to a waiting state for a predetermined time period; after the predetermined time period passes, if it is detected that the reproducing time information ceases changing and the audio data is not included in the digital signal outputted from the first recording medium, the recording operation of the audio data from the first recording medium to the second recording medium is terminated; and a data indicative of a recording end point of the data which is recorded in the data recording area of the second recording medium is recorded in the TOC area of the second recording medium, the recording end point occurring at a time point occurring during the predetermined time period, and then whole recording operation to the second recording medium is terminated.
 8. A recording method for recording an inputted digital signal, which includes main program information and additional information, on a disc recording medium, comprising the steps of:recording the inputted digital signal on the disc recording medium while simultaneously detecting whether the additional information of the inputted digital signal changes or not; stopping recording of the inputted digital signal to the disc recording medium when no change of the additional information is detected; determining a recording end point as being at a time point occurring during a predetermined time after it is detected that the additional information has not changed; and recording data representative of the recording end point in a table of contents area of the disc recording medium.
 9. A recording method according to claim 8, wherein:the step of stopping the recording of the inputted digital signal comprises stopping the recording when it is detected that there is no change of a reproducing time information contained in the additional information, and simultaneously, no existence of data in the inputted digital signal.
 10. A recording method according to claim 9, wherein the step of stopping recording comprises placing a disc recording medium recording apparatus in a waiting state.
 11. A recording method for recording an inputted digital signal on a disc recording medium, in which the inputted digital signal is outputted with sub-code data from a signal source in which the digital signal is recorded with the sub-code data, and a table of contents (TOC) area for recording a management data is provided on the disc recording medium, comprising the steps of:detecting an end point of the inputted digital signal by detecting whether a reproducing time information as part of the sub-code data supplied with the inputted digital signal changes or not; after the reproducing time information ceases changing and the end point of the inputted digital signal is detected, detecting whether audio data is included in the inputted digital signal or not; pausing recording for a predetermined time period after it is detected that the audio data is not included in the inputted digital signal; determining a recording end point of the inputted digital signal if it is detected, after the predetermined time period passes, that the reproducing time information ceases changing and the audio data is not included in the inputted digital signal; editing the management data in the TOC area so as to manage a recording end point, the recording end point being chosen as a time point occurring during the predetermined time period; and then terminating the whole recording operation.
 12. A recording method for recording an inputted digital signal on a disc recording medium, in which the inputted digital signal is outputted with sub-code data from a signal source in which the digital signal is recorded with the sub-code data, and a table of contents (TOC) area where a management data is recorded is provided on the disc recording medium, comprising the steps of:controlling recording of the inputted digital signal on the disc recording medium between a temporary stop state and a recording state as a function of an index data of the sub-code data supplied with the inputted digital signal; stopping recording of the inputted digital data to the disc recording medium after it is detected that the index data is a last index data; editing the management data in the TOC area so as to manage a recording end point; and then terminating the whole recording operation.
 13. A recording method for recording a digital signal reproduced from a first disc recording medium in which the digital signal is recorded with sub-code data, to a second disc recording medium having a data recording area and a table of contents (TOC) area where a management data is recorded, comprising the steps of:detecting an end point of the digital signal outputted from the first disc recording medium by detecting whether or not a reproducing time information of the sub-code data outputted from the first disc recording medium with the digital signal changes; detecting whether an audio data is included in the digital signal outputted from the first disc recording medium or not after the reproducing time information ceases changing and the end point of the reproducing operation of the first disc recording medium is detected; changing the recording operation to the second disc recording medium to a waiting state for a predetermined time period after it is detected that the audio data is not included in the digital signal; stopping the recording operation of audio data from the first disc recording medium to the second disc recording medium if, after the predetermined time period passes, it is detected that the reproducing time information ceases changing and the audio data is not included in the digital signal outputted from the first disc recording medium; and editing a management data in the TOC area of the second disc recording medium so as to manage a recording end point of the data which is recorded, the recording end point being a time point occurring during the predetermined time period; and then terminating the whole recording operation.
 14. A recording method for recording an inputted digital signal on a recording medium in which management data corresponding to the digital signal is recorded with an additional information, wherein:the inputted digital signal is recorded on the recording medium, and it is detected whcthcr the additional information of the inputted digital signal changes or not; and when, throughout a predetermined period of time, the conditions of no change of a reproducing time information contained in the additional information and no existence of data in the inputted digital signal are both simultaneously detected, the recording operation of the inputted digital signal to the recording medium is stopped.
 15. A recording method for recording an inputted digital signal on a recording medium according to claim 14, further comprising the step of setting the recording operation of the inputted digital signal to a stand by state throughout the predetermined period of time after it is first detected that the additional information of the inputted digital signal ceases changing. 